Numbers 21:6-9 NIV
Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So, Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
As you read the passage, above what is your initial reaction? If we are honest, we probably thought how a loving God could allow such a harsh punishment against his people.
These scriptures now have deeper meaning to my spiritual walk. As I read John 3:14, I have for many years overlooked this verse until one day being led by the Holy Spirit, I kept reading. The statement, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up." I was prompted to go back and read it again. The Spirit led me to ask, why did Moses lift the serpent? It was at that moment that God opened my mind and eyes to understand the power that is hidden in that simple statement made by Jesus. The Israelites became ungrateful and bitter toward God and said things that led them to sin against him. The consequence of their sin was the poison of the snake that killed many as the scripture says. In the same way, our sins give birth to consequences that might result in our death. That same snake became the symbol of healing through the power of God, when the Israelites had to look at the carved snake to be healed. In the same way, Jesus bore our sins on the cross as he took the punishment that we deserved. He endured our afflictions and died in our place. Now, just as the serpent became a symbol of healing, Jesus Christ through sin bearing, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection has become the symbol to cleanse our sins and open the door to heaven. Yes, many in our society and world continue to grumble against God. They are impatient and knowingly or unknowingly bear the consequences of their sins. Nonetheless, if they choose to come to Jesus they will be healed. I love how the verse says "... anyone who is bitten can look at it and live" Numbers 21:8 NIV. Yes, the healing from sins which leads to salvation is offered to the whole world (John 3:16); however, is the world choosing to look toward Jesus? Or will we let the venomous snakes (sins) continue to kill us? As we start this New Year, will we look toward Jesus or toward the poison from our sin that continues to inflict and kill us? Let us not be deceived, the venomous snakes don't always come as pain, negative or traumatic experiences. Often, they are accomplishments, power, greed, or people we have idolized who have become the center of our lives. Jesus is the lighthouse that shines bright in the middle of the world waiting for us to come to him. Let's not love darkness and reject him (John 3:19-21). The darkness may seem more appealing, but it results in death. However, Jesus is offering healing and eternal life.
